Why Atheist Groups Exist

Someone recently asked me about this. Here you'll find the question and my answer.
The question: if you are on the Net that often with these extreme theists, why don't you take a bit of a break from it for a while. I realize the dangers of de-secularizing the state, etc., but if no one's going out of their way to directly change or affect you, maybe it's not necessary to engage them over the e-waves.

1. The atheist groups exist for atheists to hang out in and talk about stuff. So, when a theist comes in and tells us about how we are all going to hell and better give our lives over to Jesus H. Christ pretty soon, then they are going out of their way. I very rarely go into any Christian groups - and then usually when I have found out that they are discussing atheism.

2. Such discussions do have the effect of deprogramming people from extreme theism, albeit only occasionally.

3. There can intellectual stimulation in such discussions, even if I am having a battle of wits with unarmed opponents.

4. In addition to being simply an atheist, I'm a secular humanist. I believe that society will be better off if we can abandon the need to hold on to some of these ancient superstitions - for example, the idea that all the morality you'll ever need can be found in a single holy book. We'll never be able to face the challenges of the future with that kind of attitude. In general, I feel that a more rational society will be a better and more enlightened society - and I work towards that end. Promoting non-religion is only a part of that.

I am a secular humanist too and when people ask me "Well what DO you believe in then?" I just say, people. Human beings. I believe in the strength, the hope, the power and the secular morality of humans.